Push-button biturn single-pole switch



1951 J. A. GlNARD PUSH BUTTON BITURN SINGLE POLE SWITCH Patented Dec. 11, 1951 PUSH-BUTTON BITURN SINGLE-POLE- SWITCH v John A. Ginard, New York, N. Y. Application August 5, 1950, Serial No. 177,893

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a push button bi-tur single pole switch.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch which is pushed to turn on the switch, but which requires the turning of a knob in one direction or the other to efiect the opening of the switch whereby accidental tripping of a switch is prevented since the knob has to be turned by hand to open the switch, and wherein there is no doubt between the on and off positions of the switch.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a push button single pole switch which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, has a minimum number of parts, positive in operation, easy to install in a wall receptacle, compact, easily actuated and efiicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. '1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the switch embodying the features of the present invention with the switch parts in their off positions.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 1 with the switch parts in their switch on positions.

Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c are detail sectional views showing respectively three positions of the operating roller in the slots of the movable terminal.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and looking upon the spring switch contacts spaced from one another.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally on line 5-5 and through the movable bridging contact block.

Fig. 6 is a collective and perspective view of the push button and the turn knob parts.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view looking upon the interior of the casing and upon the pivot block supports.

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the switch and looking upon the end of the push button and upon the end of the operating knob.

Referring now to the figures, It represents a switch housing formed of insulating material in which is connected spaced contacts I! and it, a pivot block I3 having a bridging contact 14 of U-shape and a bent leaf spring i5 engaging with the movable terminal block I3 and anchored by a rivet It in the upper part of the switch housing I. The front of the switch housing is closed and a metal attaching plate ll adapted to fix the switch in a wall receptacle is connected to this front portion by screws l 8 which also extend into a supporting body IQ of a plunger 2! .to secure the supporting body, the attaching member ll to the front portion of the housing it. The push button 2| has a thumb-engaging face 22 by which,

the member 2| is pushed. The push button 25 has an extension 23 which is connected to a roller or transverse bar 24 and operates in elongated slots 25 of the movable contact supporting member [3. This member 13 is connected by a pivot pin 26 having its respective ends disposed in openings 27 in pivot pin supports 28 connected by screws 29 and 3G to the inner wall of the switch housing It). 'These pivot pin supports are arranged in opposed relationship on the respective opposite sides of the housing It and receive respectively the respective ends of the pivot pin 26. The pivot pin 26 extends through an elongated slot 3|. Rollers or hearing pins 32 and 33 are also disposed in the slot 3| to make easy the operation of the movable contact supporting member 1'3. The movable bridging contact kl is fixed to the top face of the supporting body 13 by screw 34, Fig. 5. In one side of the supporting body I3 is a groove 3'6 in which the end of the bent spring I 5, as indicated at 38, rides. This groove extends over the end of the supporting member and joins with groove 39 that extends in a plane running at an angle from which the groove 33 runs. An abrupt corner is accordingly afforded over which the portion 38 of the spring l5 can pass to positively hold the movable contact supporting member l3 and the movable contact M in a raised position, as shown in Fig. 2. If pressure is brought to bear on the plunger 2!, the bar 24 will push against the walls .of the slot 25 to pivot the movable contact supporting member l3 aboutthe pin axis 25 until the portion .38 of the spring [5 rides over corner at and into groove 39 whereby to .force the bridging contact M into positive engagement with thespring contact terminals H and L2 to establish a circuit through the switch. The member 13 will come to a stop when the :bar 24 is in the upper end of the slots 25. The movable contact supporting member 13 will beheld against the bar 24 by the spring IS.

The terminal "I I is held in place in the housing ID by a screw 4| and an electrical supply wire 42 isconnected to this terminal ll by a terminal screw 43,, .Fig. 34. The spring contact 12 is held in place by a screw 44 and a wire 45 connected to the contact l2 by screw 46.

The plunger 2| will be locked in its pushed ,in position and against the action of its spring 46 actin against the attaching member I! by the stronger action :of the bent leaf spring 15.

The push button face 22 will lie within a turn knob 41 which has diametrically opposed inner wall slots 48 and 49. arm projections and 52 which slide respectively in the slots 48 and 49. Through this connection, the turn knob can serve to rotate the plunger 2|. The turn knob is connected to a ring 53 by screws 54 and 55 operable respectively in slots 56 and 51. These screws 54 and 55 enter respectively threaded openings 58 and 59 of the knob 41. Slots of arcuate shape are provided in the plunger supporting member l9 to accommodate the heads of the-respective screws 54 and 55. Screws 6| and 52 fix the ring 53 to the plunger supporting member I9.

In order to keep the plunger 2| against rotation The push button 2| has when the switch is pushed on and as viewed in Fig. 1, a spring detent 63 extends into a longitudinally extending slot in the plunger. As the plunger 2| is pushed, this detent will ride out of the slot 64 as shown in Fig. 2. When the detent is out of the slot, the plunger can be rotated.

To open the switch contacts, the knob 41 is turned and since the plunger is coupled with the knob the plunger will be turned and likewise the bar 24 in the slots of the movable contact supporting member I3 will cause the movable contact supporting member l3 to be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, so that the portion 38 of the spring |5 will ride over ,the corner 4-0 and into the groove 36 and assisted by coil spring 45 and spacing between pin 33 and edge of slot 3| to cause a counterclockwise direction of contact supporting member I3. The bar 24 in slot 25 is now positioned as in Fig. 3b, with member i3 in off position. -Releasing finger pressure from knob 41 spring 46 in Fig. 2 pushes outwardly the plunger 2| rotating knob 41 to original off position as in Fig. 1.

It will be noted that in Fig. 6 the angle grooves formed by 65 and 66 on the plunger 2|, will produce a slight outward motion during the cycle of the knob 41 being turned for the ofi position of the switch. The knob 41 can be turned in either direction to efiect the opening of the switch. The groove 64 will be brought into alignment with the detent pin 63 when the bar 24 is straightened in the lower end of the slots 25 as shown in Fig. 3c. The turning action of the bar 24 is illustrated in Fig. 3b.

It will now be apparent that to close this switch and bridge contacts H and I2 that one needs only to press the push button 2|. The push button is moved inwardly and out of the way and is concealed by the turn knob 41. There is little chance of the switch being opened by accident. A positive action must be, efiected upon the turn knob to open the switch.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of my invention, what is claimed is:

1. A push button bi-turn single pole switch comprising a switch housing, fixed contacts connected to the housing, a movable contact adapted to engage with the fixed contacts, a movable contact supporting block pivotally connected to the switch housing, said block having a corner edge, a leaf spring having an end ridable over the corner edge, said block having elongated slots, push button means having a transverse portion extendin into the slots of the movable contact supporting member whereby to act upon the walls of the slots to start the pivotal movement and the riding of the spring over the corner edge of the block, said spring holding said movable contact supporting block upon riding over the corner edge and the push button means drawn inwardly upon riding over the corner edge and means operable upon the push button means and the transverse portion thereof to overcome the action of the leaf spring and to return the end thereof over the comer edge and the movable contact from engagement with the fixed contacts.

2. A push button bi-turn single pole switch comprising a switch housing, fixed contacts connectedto the housing, a movable contact adapted to engage with the fixed contacts, a movable contact supporting block pivotally connected to the switch housing, said block having a corner edge, a leaf spring having an end ridable over the corner edge, said block having elongated slots, push button means having a transverse portion extending into the slots of the movable contact supporting member whereby to act upon the walls of the slots to start the pivotal movement and the riding of the spring over the corner edge of the block, said spring holding said movable contact supporting block upon riding over the corner edge and the push button drawn inwardly upon riding over the corner edge and means operable upon the push button and the transverse portion thereof to overcome the action of the leaf spring and to return the end thereof over the corner edge and the movable contact from engagement with the fixed contacts, said means for withdrawing the push button means comprising a turn knob engageable with the push button means to effect the rotation of the push button means and is transverse portion operable in the slot of the movable contact supporting block and a supporting body connected to said switch housing for slidably receiving the push-button means and for rotatably receiving the turn knob.

3. A switch construction comprising a switch housing, a fixed contact on the switch housing, movable contact means comprising a supporting block and a contact engageable with the fixed contact, means for pivotally connecting said supporting block to the housing, said supporting block having a corner edge, spring means operable over the corner edge or the block to hold the same in either the open position of the movable switch contact or in the closed position of the movable switch contact, said supporting block having an elongated slot, a bar operable in said slot, a plunger supporting body connected to the switch housing, a push button plunger operable through the plunger supporting body, said plunger having an extension rigidly connected to said transverse bar in the slot of the movable contact supporting block, a spring acting upon the plunger to urge the push button plunger outwardly from the switch housing, said push button plunger having an arm projection on the side thereof, a turn knob surrounding the push button and having an internal slot for receiving the arm projection of the push button plunger, means for connecting the turn knob to the plungersup-v porting member for rotation relative thereto, said turn knob being actionable upon the push button plunger to rotate its extension and the transverse bar within the slot of the movable contact supporting block whereby to urge the corner edge of the block over the spring means to move the movable switch contact to an open position. a

4. A switch construction comprising a switch housing, a fixed contact on the switch housing. movable contact means comprising a supporting block and a contact engageable with the fixed contact, means for pivotally connecting said supporting block to the housing, said supporting block having a corner edge, spring means operable over the corner edge of the block to hold the same in either the open position of the movable switch contact or in the closed position of the movable switch contact, said supporting block having an elongated slot, a bar operable in said slot, a plunger supporting body connected to the switch housing, a push button plunger operable through the plunger supporting body, said plunger having an extension rigidly connected to said transverse bar in the slot of the movable contact supporting block, a spring acting upon the plunger to urge the push button plunger outwardly from the switch housing, said push button plunger having an arm projection on the side thereof, a turn knob surrounding the push button and having an internal slot for receivingthe arm projection of the push button plunger, means for connecting the turn knob to the plunger supporting member for rotation relative thereto, said turn knob being actionable upon the push button plunger to rotate its extension and the transverse bar within the slot of the movable contact supporting block whereby to urge the corner edge of the block over the spring means to move the movable switch contact to an open position, and said push button plunger having a longitudinal groove, a spring detent pin operable in said plunger supporting member and entering said groove to prevent the rotation of the plunger when the same is withdrawn and adapted to ride out of the groove when the plunger is depressed to release the plunger for rotation by said turn knob.

JOHN A. GINARD.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Inaba Feb. 25, 1930 Number 

